Posts Tagged ‘sects in islam’

I disapprove of calling myself(with it comes to religion) anything other than “Muslim”. Some of my methods are more like sunnis, in some cases i am more like shias, some of my thoughts match those of sufis. But this doesnt mean, i have to associate myself with a sect. I respect and consider everyone under the umbrella of Islam who believes in God and worships none except him, believes in the books, the prophets, the day of judgement, Paradise and Hell.

Because the moment i say “i am a sunni/shia etc..” i am affirming the making of sects in religion which is prohibited. Lets look at the verses from Quran related to this

“And hold fast, all together by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favour on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love so that by His Grace, you became brethren; and you were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make his signs clear to you: that you may be guided.” (Chapter3, Verse 103)

“The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah–that which We have sent by inspiration to thee–and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: namely, that you should remain steadfast in Religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which you call them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).” (Chapter 42, Verse 13)

“As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah. He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.
And verily this Ummah of yours is One Ummah and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other). But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself.” (Chapter 6, Verse 159)

An example of how i view different sects – Imagine if there are three doctors, one graduating out of Harvard, one from Oxford, one from Cambridge university. How stupid would it look, if they all call themselves “Harvardi”, “Oxfordi”, “Cambridgey” instead of calling themselves Doctors?

Religion is very simple, people make it complicated, out of lack of knowledge and ignorance. Stop stereotyping! There are extremists and ignorant people in every group. Just don’t judge a group based on the actions of few. Prejudice is one major reasons for segregation and divisions. Here are a few article with a little more details on Prejudice and Backbiting.